Lord Rama And The Epics Of The Ramayana And Bhagavad Gita

There are many similarities and differences between the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance and the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita. They both have very contrasting settings, being that they are centuries apart. However, the struggles that Rannulph Junah and Arjuna experience are very similar; as well as, Lord Krishna and Bagger Vance’s roles. The religious elements found in both the movie and the book are also alike, which is devotion and karma; along with the overall message, which is respecting the things you love and staying devoted to them.

Both epics show similar and overlapping religious beliefs; specifically, the belief in the cycle of death and rebirth. This belief is used in various instances to soften the significance of death and justify acts of violence which bring death. The conversation between the warrior Arjuna and Krishna, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, in the Bhagavad Gita highlight this. When Arjuna is reluctant to fight and kill his family members on the opposing side, Krishna argues that, due to the cycle of death and rebirth, the act of killing is not as bad as it seems. He asks “That which is unborn and imperishable, how does

The original The Ramayana is a great epic that has stood the test of time, and has been influential yet controversial throughout history. R.K Narayan’s version has been the same; his composition of stories adds another layer to the already plentiful themes, leaving the reader satisfied with his brilliant description and insight. Through Narayan’s constant comparison that parallels Rama to a perfect specimen, he is demonstrating a “Straw Man” argument. Its effect illuminates Rama’s flaws rather than his seemingly perfect composure. Narayan consciously chooses moments at Rama’s darkest hours to transform him into the relatable human figure he was meant to become.

The story, “From the Ramayana “Rama’s Initiation,” by Valmiki is Hindu mythology.The story of how one of their Gods, Rama initiated his era. The story began as the sage Viswamithra came to the kingdom and asked the king if he could take Rama with him. He plans to go and do a ritual in a sacred place that has been under come by demons, and he wants someone to go with him to protect him while he performs. In tail, Viswamithra wants Rama to go with him, and with a little convincing Rama, his brother and Viswamithra go on their journey to Sidhasrama. The problem is that Sidhasrama has been taken over by a powerful demon, Thataka. Thataka used to be the daughter of a Demi-God. She eventually married and had two sons, which the three ran off and

The story Ramayan is the oldest version, is the basis of all the various versions of the Ramayana that are related to the many cultures. The current text of Valmiki Ramayana is collaboration of two parts from the north and the south of India. Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana has been usually divided into seven books which all are dealing with the life of Rama from his birth date to his death date.

Rama’s brothers were perpetually loyal to Rama and could not have loved him more. They were furious when they heard he was banished and would no longer become crowned king. Lakshmana, outraged, threw on his battle robe and weapons and was ready to take on a whole army to see that Rama was crowned king, as he rightfully should be. He even stated, “I know no father and no mother, other than you.”(Narayan, 52) He loved his brother so much that he saw him as greater than his own parents, who gave him life. Lakshmana would have died at any moment for his brother Rama; this is why he decided to leave with Rama on his banishment and swore to protect him with his life. Rama’s other brother Bharata, who was away at the time, was also appalled when he heard the news of Rama being banished. It was Bharata’s mother who banished Rama and when he found out that it was she who was responsible he told her, “If I do not snuff your wretched life out with my own hand, do not pride yourself that it’s because you are my mother, but you are spared because Rama would despise me for my

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and the Hindu poem Bhagavad-Gita, both explore this concept. Bhagavad-Gita is an important piece of Indian literature that vividly illustrates the Hindu philosophy of faith. It documents a conversation between the story’s protagonist, Arjuna, and the deity Krishna. Arjuna is preparing for battle against the Kauravas. The Kauravas come from a direct lineage of Arjuna’s family, and his relationship

They both have to go on quests to find their destiny. They battle creatures that threatens what they love. “Ramayana” and “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, have very similar plots, that disrepute Thomas Macaulay argument. The protagonist in each of the stories “Ramayana” and “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, is Godly like.

“Dharma is knowledge prominently directed to the achievement of desired happiness here (i.e. in this life) and hereafter by means of appropriate actions”. (Khan, Benjamin. The Concept of Dharma in Valmiki) Rama and Krishna have been set as perfect exemplars of Dharma in the texts of Ramayana and Mahabharata respectively. They are considered to be the reincarnations of God Visnu, a Supreme Being, and supposedly lived their lives according to the Dharmic (or right) way of life. However, the stories of Rama and Krishna in the texts include some of their actions, which are questionable to the act of Dharma. This may lead one to question Ram and Krishna as true exemplars of Dharma.

Dharma is the duty that people must fulfill in order to achieve their life’s purpose. In the Hindu religion, it is what guides the followers’ life choices and actions. Only the utmost just decisions and choices will lead down the path of obtaining dharma. At first glance, the Indian epic, The Ramayana, is a love story about a prince who is banished to the forest and an evil creature subsequently kidnaps his wife. However, it serves a much greater purpose in the Hindu culture. The Ramayana serves as a guide to living a life of moral righteousness. Rama and Sita are role models of how men and women should interact with each other and with society. There is multiple times throughout the epic that Rama faces morally difficult decisions that he flawlessly surpasses, a feat that his human peers surely would not have had the mental strength to accomplish. Rama is the supreme example of how to live a moral life. Rama’s dharma is to destroy evil, and throughout the book the difficult choices he makes and the heroic actions her performs are what guide him in his quest to fulfill his duty. Other characters in the epic, such as Ravana, are faced with the same moral dilemmas and chose incorrectly, which ultimately lead to their demise. Rama’s profound greatness is a result of his ability to place dharma above all other humanly desires and personal interests.

The Ramayana by R.K. Narayan's is an epic story that provides insights into many aspects of Indian culture and still today influences the politics, religion and art of modern India. He based his novel on a poem from one of India's great Sanskrit epics also called "Ramayana." He revived this ancient story and condensed it and set in modern times. This is story of adventure and friendship as well as a story of psychological insight, spiritual meaning and of wisdom. R.K. Narayan does an excellent job of portraying all these aspects throughout his novel. The meanings of The Ramayana are found through the actions and personalities of its principal characters. It is part of the sacred literature for the Hindus because

The wise Vibishana declares, “A man loses his honour and name only through lust and avarice. You have acquired extraordinary powers through your own spiritual performances but you have misused your powers and attacked the very gods that gave you the power, and now you pursue evil ways” (The Ramayana page 126). The Ramayana portrays each and every character having his or her own personality traits and specific behaviors. Why is characterization so important in a story that is now history? How did R.K. Narayan show the characters hopes, dreams, and true colors? Because of Narayan’s intellectual ways of displaying characterization in The Ramayana, the reader understands why it is used, how it

Along with the various executive capabilities possessed by leaders of the four lower levels these leaders combine a fierce will with utmost personal humility. Unpretentious, stoic and humble their unassuming personas house an iron wills that just refuses to give up. Rama in all his manifestations ,as the prince, the banished and friendless tapas, the beleaguered commander of a rag tag army, and the king combines courage and compassion to rise to the level 5 leadership ideal. He refuses to let Ravana’s obvious advantages dissuade him from the apparent folly of attacking him. He refuses to give in to the demand of his brother Bharatha and all the people he has brought with him to come back to Ayodhya. He also refuses to let his personal feelings for his wife stand in the way of taking necessary measures to make sure that the credibility and goodwill of the dynasty is not besmirched. Combined with this is his personal humility. While wandering the forest in search of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana come across an old woman from a lower caste, a hunter named Sabari. She is an ardent fan of the beloved prince of Ayodhya, and invites the brothers to rest in her humble abode. In a frenzy of love and devotion, she offers a basket of

(Burns&Avolio, 1994). Rama exhibits all the traits identified by researchers as that of a transformational leader. He as the eldest and most suitable of the four sons of Dasharatha has been earmarked for the kingship form the beginning. The King his father makes no secret of his wishes to see Rama in the throne. The sages Viswamitra, who takes Rama and Lakshmana on a sort of tour of duty to conquer some rakshasas who were creating havoc among the gentle ‘tapasas’ , the raj guru( royal teacher), the ministers all agree that Rama is the ideal candidate for being crowned as the future king. The people of Ayodya loved Rama and were overjoyed at the news of his coronation. Yet, when the king is coerced into ordering him to forsake all that and banish him to spend fourteen years in the forest, he accepts without any protest. He calms down the outrage of his brother and the courtiers on his behalf. When the people follow him to the forest, he asks them to go back and live as ideal citizens. He creates a vision for Ayodya and charges the people to make their lives’ mission. The clarity which he communicates the

Great books are epic because they are retold in many ways since before 300 BCE. They are retold in various forms in different languages and mediums. Retelling in different languages and media forms makes it understandable for various audiences. For example, the Ramayana has been rewritten by R.K Narayan in a short prose from the original 24000 verses to 7 Kandas of the Ramayana written by Sage Valmiki (Rao 2005, 7616). Unlike the modern Bollywood version called Raavan which had been retold visually, storytellers changed the content and characters in such a manner that it connects more to our present stories. Even now modern dramatists compose and direct movies which relate to not just Indian culture but to foreign audiences too. For instance, the short film, Sita Sings the Blues relates to Sita and contemporary parallel lead Nina. They both have a tale of truth, injustice and a woman’s cry for equal treatment. Having different kinds of cinematic and written retelling, I chose to retell the Ramayana based on Sita’s life and growth as a person as a painting on canvas with an abstract art form. Using an indexical and symbolic style framework, I stayed honest with the story, presenting it using Sita’s perspective. This allows the audience to see the birth, marriage, forest hood (Aranya Kanda), fire test and death that led to her character growth. Also, the retelling can also be classified as symbolic because I have made my artistic references to specific characteristics of